Why This Matters to Us — And Should Matter to You
If you live in Co-op City, work here, or care about the safety of our families and neighbors, then this campaign affects you too.
Let me explain:
Right now, the officers who patrol our streets, respond to emergencies, and protect our children don’t have the full authority of police officers—even though they do the job every single day. They’re classified as “peace officers,” which means they face legal restrictions that can delay response times, limit investigations, and block access to critical law enforcement tools.
I’ve watched these officers chase down criminals, respond to domestic violence calls, help lost children find their parents, and de-escalate tense, dangerous situations all while lacking the same protections and resources their counterparts in other departments have.
Why does this matter?
Because when our officers are held back, our entire community is at risk.
Amending the Criminal Procedure Law (C.P.L.) to grant our Co-op City Police Department full police officer status isn’t just about a title—it’s about making sure they have the legal power to do what they’re already doing: protecting us.
It means faster access to NYPD databases when a child goes missing. It means the authority to act immediately in a life-threatening emergency. It means the ability to partner with state and federal agencies to stop crime before it spreads.
This isn’t just a police issue—it’s a community issue.
If I were explaining this to a friend, I’d say this:
“Imagine calling for help, and the officer who shows up has to wait for someone else to take action—simply because the law hasn’t caught up with reality. That’s not right. That’s not safe. And that’s why I’m standing up for change.”
You have the power to help fix this.
By signing this petition, you're telling lawmakers that Co-op City deserves the same safety and respect as any other community in New York. You're standing up for the officers who stand up for us every day.
Let’s make it official. Let’s make it right. Let’s make them Police Officers.
